10 Things a Makeup Counter Salesperson Doesn't Want You to Know

You might want to read this before signing up for that "free makeover"

Picture this: You're walking though Macy's on a lazy Saturday afternoon. You're not particularly looking to buy anything -- you just wanted to peruse the shoe aisle or see what's on sale in the handbag department.

But then, you walk by a makeup counter and a smiling face flashes you a new "gift with purchase" promotional deal. BOOM. Just like that, you no longer care about shoes, bags or anything else, and you're chit chatting with "Melissa" about your crow's feet.

Sound familiar? It happens to the best of us. For anyone that appreciates makeup, the beauty counter has a magnetism that's hard to ignore. All those gorgeous makeup products laid out for your conspicuous consumption just beg you to buy, don't they?

But while everything on and behind the makeup counter looks harmless and the salespeople seem as though they're looking out for your best interest, the smart consumer has to wonder: Is it all too good to be true? What's real and what's fake behind the beauty counter business? Or better yet, what secrets are the brands behind these counters keeping from you in order to make you continue to come back and spend more?

To find out, we asked real women who work or have worked behind the counter in department stores across the country to spill the beans on what's free and what isn't, what's a marketing ploy and what's real, what they really think about customers, and much, much more.

This was such a great article. Its so sad but all these things are so true and that is why I like to do my own research on products and normally buy either directly through their main website or for some brands, the drug store.

This may be true for most Companies, but I work for a Merle Norman Studio, where our make overs truly are free, the brushes are both chemically and UV sterilized, our lesson material that is to be used on clients is removed from the container with a sanitary spatula, and the tester people put their fingers in are NEVER for use on a customer's face. I am both a licensed cosmetologist and very experienced make up artist, but would never claim to have any medical expertise about dermatology, and in fact have referred many clients to a determologist for issues ranging from rosacea to skin cancer. Perhaps the author should dig a little deeper while researching next time. Not all make up counters are created equal!

All true. I worked at Nordstrom for nearly 20 years; Testers are filthy and I will buy a product to test it before I would try it at the counter. Especially at stores like Sephora where everything is being handled. Also; Check the product you're buying that it hasn't been opened, don't buy it or return it if you have,

It's interesting to see how many people are uneducated in regards to germs. The fact that face products are refundable just shows that if you find a product you actually like, test it on something new not the actual "tester". Your skin will thank you later.